Developing device and image forming apparatus with exhaust port for discharging air

Abstract

A developing device includes: a container for accommodating developer, the container having an exhaust port; and a merging section where airflows directed from the interior of the container to the exhaust port join together.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A developing device comprising:
 a container for accommodating developer, the container having an exhaust port; and 
 a merging section where airflows directed from an interior of the container to the exhaust port join together, 
 wherein a hole is provided in a side of a flow path through which the air directed to the exhaust port passes, and an airflow directed from an upstream side toward the hole and an airflow returning toward the hole after temporarily directed to a downstream side of the hole join together. 
 
     
     
       2. The developing device according to  claim 1 , wherein an airflow flowing in one direction and an airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the one direction join together at the merging section. 
     
     
       3. The developing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the hole includes a plurality of holes. 
     
     
       4. The developing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of holes are disposed at different positions in a direction intersecting a direction of the airflows directed from the upstream side to the holes. 
     
     
       5. The developing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow path includes: a first flow path through which the air is temporarily directed to the downstream side of the hole; and a second flow path through which the air temporarily directed to the downstream side returns toward the hole. 
     
     
       6. The developing device according to  claim 5 , wherein an inlet of the first flow path has a greater area than an outlet of the second flow path. 
     
     
       7. An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image carrier that carries an image; and
 the developing device according to  claim 1 , which forms an image on the image carrier. 
 
 
     
     
       8. A developing device comprising:
 a container for accommodating developer, the container having an exhaust port; 
 an air accommodation space having an inlet, from which air directed to the exhaust port enters, and an end on a side opposite to the inlet; and 
 a discharge portion located between the inlet and the end of the air accommodation space, the air directed to the exhaust port being discharged from the discharge portion, 
 wherein the discharge portion includes a plurality of discharge portions. 
 
     
     
       9. The developing device according to  claim 8 , wherein a gap formed between an inner surface of the container and a facing part corresponding to the inner surface serves as the air accommodation space. 
     
     
       10. The developing device according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of discharge portions are arranged in a direction intersecting a direction of an airflow directed from the inlet toward the end. 
     
     
       11. The developing device according to  claim 8 , wherein a flow path along which the air temporarily flows toward the end beyond the plurality of discharge portions and then returns toward the plurality of discharge portions is formed in the air accommodation space. 
     
     
       12. The developing device according to  claim 11 , wherein an inlet of the flow path has a greater area than an outlet of the flow path. 
     
     
       13. The developing device according to  claim 8 , wherein the air directed to the exhaust port is also supplied from the end of the air accommodation space to the air accommodation space. 
     
     
       14. A developing device comprising:
 a container for accommodating developer, the container having an exhaust port; 
 an air flow path through which air directed to the exhaust port passes; and 
 a joining flow path into which the air directed to the exhaust port flows, the joining flow path joining the air flow path, 
 wherein the air flow path has an inlet, from which the air directed to the exhaust port enters the air flow path, and an end on a side opposite to the inlet, wherein a portion of the air directed to the exhaust port flows directly to the end after entering the air flow path and is then circulated from the end towards the joining flow path before reaching the exhaust port. 
 
     
     
       15. The developing device according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the air flow path includes a first flow path extending in one direction, and a second flow path located on a downstream side of the first flow path in an airflow direction and extending in a direction intersecting the one direction, 
 the first flow path and the second flow path intersect at an intersecting portion, and 
 the joining flow path joins the intersecting portion of the air flow path. 
 
     
     
       16. The developing device according to  claim 15 , wherein the joining flow path extends from a side of the intersecting portion opposite to the first flow path toward the intersecting portion and joins the intersecting portion.